Like any hobby, it can take a while to learn the ropes with model trains and feel comfortable with what you’re doing. Unfortunately, simple mistakes can sometimes dissuade people from persevering until they get it right. To make things easier, here are five mistakes to avoid when building a model railroad.
1. Not Enough Space Between Junctions and Curves
One mistake people often make is not leaving enough room between junctions and curves in their tracks. A junction is where rail routes either converge or diverge, while a curve is pretty much what it sounds like. The thing is, trains can sometimes derail if these two pieces of track are too close to each other.
2. Confusing Scale With Gauge
Let’s say you’re shopping for HO scale train cars, and you see something labeled as HO gauge. Are these the same thing? Not exactly, and here’s why. Scale is the ratio of size difference between a model and the real thing. Gauge is a measure of the width between rails on the track.
HO scale trains can have different gauges—in the US, there’s usually just standard gauge and narrow. This reflects real train tracks, which also come in different gauges. Always make sure you’re matching both the scale and the gauge when shopping for train or layout pieces.
3. Making It Complicated
If you’re brand new to model trains, we recommend taking it slow and building a very simple first layout. This will give you a chance to learn the basics before moving on to bigger builds.
4. Not Weighing Trains Properly
Model trains require connection between the locomotive wheels and the track in order to receive power. If you don’t put enough weight in your trains, they may not get a solid connection with the track, resulting in derailing or just not running very well.
5. Expanding on Starter Sets
When you’re just embarking on your new hobby, it’s easy to buy a kit that has everything you need to get started building model trains. However, most people don’t realize that the battery packs in these kits give you just enough juice to run around the basic track. If you buy additional track and try to build a bigger layout, you may find that your train slows down.
We hope these five mistakes to avoid when building a model railroad have been useful. No matter how long you’ve been in the hobby, there’s always more to learn.
Next time you’re looking to expand your layout, check out Midwest Model Railroad’s selection of HO scale trains, scenery, and battery packs. We’ve got everything you need at affordable prices!
